HIGHLANDTOWERS
TRAGEDY
GROUP MEMBER
MOHD ZAIHA BIN HASHIM SX095089MMD04
MOHD SAFWAN BIN ISHAK SX091292MMJ04
IZZUAN AZMI BIN ZAINAL ABIDIN SX095273MMD04
SAMSUL AZHAR BIN BAHAROM SHAH SX095784MMD04
MOHD FAIRUS BIN MOHD HASHIM SX055638MMD03
MOHD SAIFIFI BIN RAMLI SX095820MMD04
Background of Tragedy
3 blocks of 12 storey condominium in Hulu Kelang
Began construction in 1974
11 Dec 1993 at 1.35pm Block 1 collapsed
48 died Dark history in
construction industry of Malaysia
Chronology of Tragedy
Before 1964 Application by the Highland Properties Sdn
Bhd for project proposal 1964
JPBK Selangor began evaluation KL District Office approved the proposal
1974 Construction began by Konsortium Jurubina
Perunding
Chronology of Tragedy
1978 Completion of Block 1, Certificate of Fitness
(CF) issued Residents started moving in
1981 Completion of Block 2, CF issued Residents started moving in
1992 Completion of Block 3, CF issued Residents started moving in
Chronology of Tragedy
1st July 1992 Establishment of Ampang Jaya Municipal
Council (MPAJ) MPAJ accountable over the project
1993 MPAJ issued CF for condominium basement
parking construction November 1993
Resident found crack on roads around the condominium
Chronology of Tragedy
11 Dec 1993 1.35 pm – Block 1 of the towers collapsed
13 Dec 1993 A cabinet committee was formed, chaired by
DPM (DSAI) to solve all issues regarding the tragedy
22 Dec 1993 48 found dead until this date, search & rescue
mission ended 1994
Detailed report of tragedy published
Causes of Tragedy
Tropical climate brings high amount of rain
Unsystematic drainage system Topography area of hills, geology and
unstable soil-sand mix type that contribute to landslide
Design mistakes of concrete wall at the back of Block 1 of the Towers
Causes of Tragedy
Bukit Antarabangsa development by MBF & AMFB 150m uphill from the Highland Towers scalped large area of forest
Heavy rain forced water to seep into hill soil Cause flood of mud that cracked the roads
around the condo Surface water overflow eroded the soil on the
slope Soil structure become unstable and resulted
slippage and landslide
Causes of Tragedy
Supporting wall on the front and rear of the building collapsed and let the slippage occurred easier
The slippage weakened the front support of the building
Load on rear of the building increased Base of the condo become more unstable and
overstressed the front piles of the condo The piles broken, building tilted due to movement
of centre of gravity Gradually collapsed on it side
Action by Authorities
A cabinet committee chaired by DPM (DSAI) was formed 2 days after tragedy
Selangor State Government via MPAJ formed a special investigation unit to determine causes of the tragedy and detailed report published in 1994
Government immediately froze all high-rise project on hillside approval until new policy has been approved
All high-rise construction project delayed, while project on construction would continue after submission stability & safety report by consultant
Action by Authorities
All building over 5 storey on hillside needs safety confirmation from consultant within 6 months
All states government froze high-rise construction on hillside project
DPM announced that the Federal would draft a new policy regarding development on highland area
All highland development project required Environmental Impact Assessment for project Approval
Existing act related to highland development amended
Effect and Implication
48 found death Loss and damage of properties Environmental damage of surrounding
area Amendments of existing act related to
environment Possibilities of decreasing demands over
residential on hillsides.
Comment & Suggestion
Rules & Regulation must be made according to new findings due to new discoveries by researchers local and overseas
Involved parties should be more concern by ensuring building design, materials used and contractors qualifications meet the specs
Approving bodies should consist experts, professionals and personnel with no conflict of interest.
A geo-technical team should monitor physical structure of land and construction of high-rise building
Conclusion
The tragedy happened not due lack of science and technology instead it happened mainly due to pride of living on hillside as a symbol of luxury.
The increasing demand has driven capitalism-minded developer that concern more of profit than human safety on race of highland development project.
Some defect politician that profited by overruling calculated decision by engineers and experts to approve project on risky area that destroy environment and our natural watersheds.
The construction going fast without slope monitoring by local authorities as developer lobbying for more development on surrounding area
Sources & References
http://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedi_Highland_Towers
http://www.hba.org.my/archive/focus/HT/1999.htm
http://www.hba.org.my/archive/focus/HT/1998.htm
http://www.budiey.com/in-memory-of-the-highland-towers-disaster/
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